Sibling rivalry has erupted out of a political row.

Brothers Ivan and Steven Henderson have launched scathing attacks on each other over the issue of council housing in the Tendring district.

Yesterday, the Labour MP for Harwich, Ivan, said his brother's political group was operating under the "politics of desperation".

But Steven hit back accusing his brother of "neglecting his constituents".

The row broke out after Steven, chairman of the Community Representatives Group, started making house calls to council house residents in the Harwich and Dovercourt area asking them how they felt about their homes being sold under the Labour Government policy of Best Value.

Under the policy, the local authority has to look for the best use of its resources and one of these, but not the only one, is to sell council homes.

Ivan hit out: "They (the Community Representatives Group) are pursuing the politics of desperation and I have written to them to tell them so.

"Raising fears by a mixture of half truths and spin is unforgivable."

But Steven, an ex-Labour Party member, hit back at his brother accusing him of misinformation and of neglecting his constituents.

"There are no half truths or spin," he said. "It's a desperate move by him to try to claw back some credibility.

"I was leading an awareness campaign. In my opinion, it was a fair campaign."

Ivan said: "I would oppose any attempt to privatise the housing stock tooth and nail."

The latest split between the Henderson brothers comes three years after their last major public falling out when elder brother Steven separated from the Labour Party after 23 years.

His flight from the party came after Ivan, 42, three years his junior, became Harwich's first Labour MP in the General Election. When the rift occurred in September 1997 Steven said his separation from the party in favour of local community groups had come with a heavy heart.

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